When Water Runs Dry Alifornia Is Facing an Unprecedented Drought

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS JUNE 2014 4 6 9 11 STEM in the Gopher Teenage Sculpture Classroom or Mole? Ham in Public Operator Places

WATER NEEDED Landscape decisions determine the amount of supplemental water. Listed below are inches of water needed during the month of July when evaporation rates are greatest.

TURF WITH SPRAY IRRIGATION 9.9

UNCOVERED POOL 7.4 VINEYARD WITH DRIP IRRIGATION 6.3 When Water Runs Dry alifornia is facing an unprecedented drought. Calendar year NATIVE MEADOW 2.4 2013 marked the lowest precipitation on record for the state, and this past winter was the warmest. Governor Brown called ESTABLISHED C NATIVE PLANTS for an immediate 20% reduction in water use. The Sierra Nevada <1 snowpack, by far the largest water source for Los Altos Hills, is just 12% of normal. There is not enough stored water to continue past water use practices. California’s economy and environment depend on wise use

of this precious resource. [Continued on page 2] “People need to live within their hydrologic reality.” Barbara Vlamis of AquAlliance

to flush toilets. Simple laundry-to-landscape systems do not require permits and can qualify for a $100 rebate from Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD). Rainwater harvest systems are increas- ingly available in various sizes for above-ground or below-ground storage tanks. Irrigation is the primary use for rain catchments but with appropriate permits, rainwater can also be used for toilets or laundry. River On Tap Los Altos Hills is serviced by two water retailers, Purissima Hills Water District (PHWD) and California Water Service (CWS). The Tuolumne Highest Users Long, native grasses require a fraction of water River is the primary source of water for compared to turf and annual cutting Of all the communities served by San PHWD and is stored in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and locally in Calavaras and Francisco Public Utility Commission’s cutting, requires considerable irrigation Hetch Hetchy water supply source, Los Crystal Springs reservoirs. California — four to 10 times more than longer, Water Service purchases water from Altos Hills ranks highest in per capita uncut native grasses. Beautiful palettes consumption. The average Los Altos the Santa Clara Valley Water District of climate suitable plants are available (SCVWD). SCVWD sources 55% of Hills resident uses over 70% of water for for replacing lawns. There are multiple irrigation and another 10% is estimated its water supply from the Delta, via benefits of native plants compared with pumps and canals fed by the Sacramento lost to leaks. Results vary substantially the monoculture of turf: less water, by home and landscape. The majority of and San Joaquin rivers and their many less maintenance, less creek-polluting tributaries. Local surface runoff and water is used to irrigate plants that are fertilizer and pesticides, greater scenic not suitable for our climate. The most groundwater typically account for 40% variation and biodiversity, and greater of supply and recycled water is 5%. The egregious offender is turf. sustainability for all. Leaks are easy to detect but the drought has reduced imported water In terms of irrigation methods, spray supplies, forcing SCVWD to reduce source can be hard to find. Recording water irrigation is typically only 60% the water meter level over a span of treated water supplies and to require efficient, while drip or subsurface irriga- CWS to rely more heavily on mineral- hours while the house is unoccupied tion is 95% efficient. can determine if a leak exists. The most rich groundwater. likely sources of leaks are toilets. The San Francisco Public Utilities Water Reuse Commission (SFPUC) is the wholesaler rubber seal between the tank and the Greywater systems repurpose water from bowl can degrade and leak within five to PHWD and presently has requested laundry, sinks or showers to other non- a 10% voluntary cut back in water use. years of installation. Another common potable uses such as irrigation or water leak mechanism is the natural settling SCVWD has cut water allotments to of hillsides which can cause water main breaks. Los Altos Hills Climate Suitable Landscapes Residential Per Capita Consumption Hillsborough The amount of water needed for FY2011-2012 268 landscapes depends on three decisions: (in gallons per capita per day) 256 soil management, plant choice, and irrigation method. Water conservation starts with soil health. Deep roots and biologically active soil provide greater moisture retention and thus allow longer duration between irrigation. Biannual soil amendment with Palo compost and mulch is recommended. Menlo Alto Deep-rooted native plants can withstand Mountain Santa Park San Redwood View Sunnyvale Clara fairly long dry periods but do benefit East Jose City from occasional summer irrigation. Palo 99 102 Alto Turf, with shallow roots and frequent 75 80 82 73 74 55

2 Our Town | June 2014 Average Water Usage in Los Altos Hills municipalities and water companies by 2013 20%. Expect continued guidance from water retailers as the year progresses. Fish Out of Water Since California became a state, water 74% Irrigation management decisions regarding agri- culture and urban water demands have 10% Leaks harmed riparian and freshwater ecosys- 4% Laundry tems. Nearly every river and stream in California has been dammed, cemented, 4% Showers or diverted, pushing many aquatic 4% Sinks species toward extinction. Seventy-eight percent of California’s native freshwater 4% Toilets fish are either extinct or in peril of extinction. For example, endangered steelhead trout that once filled many of Santa Clara Valley’s creeks are a mere fraction of their populations in the 1950s. Gary Stern of NOAA-Fisheries Timber with individual cities or towns if they cautioned SCVWD to manage the The drought conditions mean the state opt to implement water use ordinances remaining steelhead streams (Stevens, has experienced three times the typical or additional conservation programs,” Coyote, Guadalupe) with care and number of wildfires so far this year. said Christopher Wilson, Customer urgency before “remnant populations Large and thirsty trees such as Redwoods Service Manager, California Water wink out.” and Eucalyptus that are showing signs Service. In addition, Santa Clara Valley of stress from the drought may also pose Water District has developed a mobile fire and falling risks. application, Access Valley Water, for faster communication of concerns of Energy-Water Nexus water misuse, creek inquiries, and other Water and energy are reciprocally and questions. inextricably connected. Each is needed The drought of 1975-77 spurred to produce the other. Over 30% of water saving innovations such as the state’s energy is used to move and low-flow toilets and drip irrigation. As treat water. Conserving water conserves populations continue to increase and energy and reduces greenhouse gas fresh water supplies diminish, behavio- emissions. rial change is the least expensive and most rational response to drought. Water Waste Restrictions “We’re facing a tough water supply Water waste is prohibited regardless challenge this year. Reducing outdoor of drought status. The Urban Water irrigation by one or two days a week Top Tips for Management Plan for the Santa Clara can go a long way to meeting our Saving Water Valley Water District provides guidelines goal. Customers have responded well to minimize water waste. when we’ve called for reductions in • Monitor water meter for leaks (you can also • Irrigate only between 5:00 pm and the past, and we’re expecting the same check toilets with dye tablets) 9:00 am positive response this time. We’ve got • No water flow or runoff on to streets to stretch our Hetch Hetchy supply as • Replace lawn with low water plants native to California central coast or walkways far as possible,” cautioned Steve Ritchie, • Washing hard surfaces and vehicles Assistant General Manager, Water Enter- • Amend soil with compost and mulch with a self-closing water shut-off prise of San Francisco Public Utilities semiannually device only Commission. “A crisis can be a catalyst • Replace inefficient spray irrigation with drip or • Obligation to fix leaks within 7 days for change,” urged Brian Schmidt, Vice stream spray such as MP Rotators • Fountains must use re-circulating Chair SCVWD Board of Directors. water • Irrigate only at night or early morning If drought conditions persist or Kit Gordon is a retired engineer working on water • Install a weather or soil moisture-based worsen, restrictions on outdoor water conservation and creek restoration. irrigation controller use will tighten. At the highest drought • Use broom not hose to clean hardscape emergency level, irrigation is prohibited. TO LEARN MORE: Violators face strict water allocation or • Capture rainwater or reuse greywater Visit the following helpful websites: flow restrictors. “We will continue to valleywater.org/drought2014/; • Not sure how to save? Free home water audits work with our customers, cities, towns, purissimawater.org; calwater.com; are available to all residents through Santa and other stakeholders on ways to use saveourh2o.org; cnps.org; bayfriendly- coalition.org; [email protected]. Clara Valley Water District’s Water Wise House water efficiently. This includes working Call program for leak detection, personalized advice, and rebate information: www.valleywater.org/programs/ Our Town | June 2014 3 waterconservation.aspx. Synopsis Science Fair The Synopsis Science Fair, open to grades 6-12, offers a competitive oppor- M tunity with teacher sponsorship and meaningful judging. “The students learn iddle school (grades six to eight) is an important it is OK to be loudly wrong,” said Dr. Mallika Srinivasan and a judge for time to expose students to many opportunities because they are still the Synopsis Science Fair at the high school level. “Science projects allow open-minded and proceed without fear. STEM (science, technology, students to ask questions boldly and subsequently explain the success or engineering, math) projects provide risk-taking in a safe environment failure of their experiments to interested adults. Those who go on to enter where students can get meaningful feedback and build confidence. the Synopsis competition in high school have the confidence to approach Plus, these projects encourage students to work in teams. If some problems and the ability to solve them.” A total of 31 students from local student is less interested, they can participate by working with friends. schools — Blach, Gardner Bullis, Los Altos HS, Gunn HS, Jordan, Palo Alto HS, “STEM projects and electives are important to junior high students JLS, Terman — came home with awards from Synopsis held on April 12-13. Eight because these experiences help the students develop critical thinking of those students with first place awards — Gardner Bullis, Gunn HS, JLS, Terman and problem solving skills. The ‘Wow!’ moments teach students that — are eligible to compete in the California State Science Fair on April 28-29. For obstacles and challenges can be overcome with perseverance,” said a full listing of awards, please visit science-fair.org. Peter Swenson, Robotics Instructor at Egan Junior High School. “Tech- nology electives can provide an environment that encourages a student LASD STEM who might have had a negative experience in mathematics or science Los Altos schools — Loyola, Santa Rita, Gardner Bullis — have taken a step in the past to have a change of heart and develop an interest in STEM to expand on science fairs by holding STEM Expos. Added to the traditional category of scientific inquiry are invention, reverse engineering, robotics, environmental innovation, and Rube Goldberg. “The STEM program has been an amazing experience,” commented Grace Choi, STEM teacher at Loyola School. “There is so much more interest and excitement among the students to get their hands dirty and build — to think outside the box. The STEM Expo provides wonderful learning opportunities in various categories. For example, in the category of reverse engineering students see what’s inside a tiny box and are able to explore the scientific principles behind why things work.” BCS STEAM With the new Fabrication Lab (FabLab), Bullis Charter School expanded on its STEAM curriculum (STEAM adds art into STEM). In fifth grade, for example, students first learn about the human muscular system in science. In art class, they apply math skills to build 3-D wire human models to a small, but accurate scale by adding color-coded muscles made from modeling clay. The FabLab combines advanced engineering equipment and hands-on shop-style building. As part of the same unit, students explore how to move a prosthetic hand by constructing a model using parts made with a 3-D printer. Then, using 3-D computer modeling, students design improvements for the prosthetic hands based on anticipated use. For more on FabLab, please visit fabla- batschool.org. The Tech Challenge Offered by The Tech Museum, The Tech Challenge, for grades 5-12, took E place on April 12-13 with over 400 teams. The challenges align with the S M new Common Core Science Standards recently adopted by California. The INSPIRING THE challenge “reinforces 21st-century skills of creativity, problem solving, design, T teamwork, leadership, presentation, risk-taking, perseverance, and learning NEXT GENERATION from failure.” Eight teams from local schools — Blach, Bullis Charter, Egan, Gardner Bullis, Gunn HS, Springer — won awards this year. For a full listing of awards, please visit http://thetechchallenge.thetech.org. subjects. Every student can benefit from critical thinking challenges and group projects.” Tamara Juarez, Science Instructional Supervisor at Terman Middle Heather Rose is chair of the Los Altos Hills Education Committee. School says that all students learn the scientific method and to apply what they learn to projects of their choosing in the school STEM program. Terman Science Fair The Terman Science Fair has been going strong since 2001. This year, the fair was supported by over 80 teachers, parents, and community volunteers; and, though participation is optional, 256 of the school’s 750 students entered this year, the majority in eighth grade. To foster teamwork and encourage risk taking, the Terman fair does not choose winners. For science fair ideas, please visit sciencebuddies.org.

Above: The Fantastic V team of sixth graders show their device to transfer water by wind at the Gardner Bullis STEM Expo after their win at The Tech Challenge. Right: The Loyola School STEM Expo expands on the traditional science fair with new categories like reverse engineering, robotics, and Rube Goldberg. Dye Takes the Reins at Westwind n January of this year, the town council awarded Torie Dye of Victoria Dye Equestrian (VDE) a three- year contract as concessionaire of Westwind Community Barn (Westwind) which has been managed by the town since 2008. Torie expressed to councilmembers her plan to expand the riding program, Ito increase participation, and raise boarding revenues. In March, soon after the completion of the lower arena renovation, VDE relaunched the Year Round Riding Program. Torie says, “I am really excited to be working and teaching at such a beautiful facility. My clients have been really enjoying the beautiful surrounding and renovated lower arena.” VDE will also be offering a Summer Riding Camp (see below). Dye and her two sisters grew school’s equestrian team, partici- homes for them. From San Luis up in Rancho Palos Verdes where pating in five to seven shows per Obispo, Dye moved back to the she fell in love with horses at an year. Bay Area, to become Director early age. “When I was little,” she Dye attended Cal Poly San of School Horse Operation at explains, “my mom read me the Luis Obispo, a perfect fit for Fremont Hills Stables. “Fremont Black Stallion books. I became someone who loves horses. “As Hills Stables was a great oppor- interested in a member of the thoroughbred tunity to work with some of the horses and enterprise program,” she said, “I leaders in the Bay Area horse my foaled out thoroughbred horses, scene,” she says. “I learned raised them, and took them to so much from working with sale as yearlings to sell as race- renowned horseman Richard horses. In the nutrition enterprise Serrini. It was similar to my role program, we studied the effects of at Millers Equestrian — teaching new types of feed with a test and lessons to children and adults, control group of horses. In the managing the horse herd health breeding enterprise program, we care and training, record-keeping, learned how to ultrasound mares and maintaining a safe and and track their reproductive cycle positive learning environment.” to see when they were ready to Dye is eager to bring be bred.” That experience was her passion and expertise to valuable when Dye interned Westwind Community Barn at Pioneer Equine Hospital in and its programs. “Westwind is mom took me for Oakdale. During her college a wonderful, beautiful place. I my first lesson years, Dye was also a member of feel so lucky to work here and be at Portuguese the Cal Poly Dressage team. a part of this community,” she Bend Pony Club. After college, Dye worked at adds. “I want my students to be Although no one Millers Equestrian Center and well-rounded horse people with else in my family Sanctuary, which teaches children a thorough understanding and rode, I rode every life lessons through training, respect for the amazing horse. I day.” In high riding, and caring for horses. In hope to be here for a long time school, Dye was addition, the organization also — with lots of happy horses and a member of the rescues horses and finds safe riders.”

Summer Riding Camp at Westwind Community Barn For more information please Intermediate Session 2 Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm contact Victoria Dye Equestrian at Days: Tuesdays -Fridays Ages: 6 and up or [email protected]. Intermediate Session 2: Location: Westwind 7/22 – 7/25 and 7/29 – 8/1 Community Barn Beginner Beginner 5-Day Camp Fees: Days: Monday - Friday Advanced $350 Residents Beginner Session 1: 6/16 – 6/20 Days: Tuesdays -Fridays $375 Non-Residents Beginner Session 2: 6/23 – 6/27 Advanced Camp: 8/5 – 8/8* and Beginner Session 3: 6/30 – 7/4 8/12 – 8/15 Intermediate and *8/8 Parents will transport kids at Advanced Intermediate Session 1 12:30 pm to the Menlo Charity 8 Day Camp Fees: Days: Tuesdays -Fridays Horse Show at the Menlo Circus $550 Residents Intermediate Session 1: $575 Non-Residents 7/8 - 7/11 and 7/14 -7/18 GOPHER

ophers and moles are common in Los Altos Hills. Both animals burrow, improve soil quality, and Gprovide food for other wildlife, but while the gopher is an agricultural pest, the mole is a beneficial predator.

OR MOLE? HABITAT

he Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) eats roots, bulbs, and plants. It occurs in both sandy and clay soils. TIts burrows can extend 10 feet deep. The burrow system consists of a large den and connecting tunnels, including up to 200 feet of main tunnel and another 250 feet of lateral tunnels. It has one to four litters of two to 12 young per year and its reproductive season is prolonged in areas that are lead to nest chambers that may be as far as irrigated. A gopher lives up to five years, two feet below the surface, or may be under and each surviving young sets up its own buildings or paving so they remain dry. territory and burrow system. The mole constantly tunnels in search of Conversely, the broad-footed mole food, eating up to three ounces daily. Their (Scapanus latimanus) eats insects, larvae, mounds can ruin the look of the garden grubs, and earthworms. It prefers untilled soil while they are busy finding the insects that with low clay content and high moisture. It could also be ruining the garden. Moles have has one litter a year of four to six young. A been documented to store earthworms, but mole lives up to five years, and each surviving they don’t have cheek pouches and don’t young sets up its own territory, but may use depend on a food cache. an existing burrow system. Control Habits If trapping is used, gopher traps should be The lateral tunnels off of the main gopher set in the main, high-traffic tunnel, not burrow are used to dispose of excess dirt, in the lateral tunnel or the pile of dirt. which is the mound we see. The lateral Trapping is more successful in spring and tunnels can extend 18 inches from the main fall when gophers are more active. tunnel. The gopher eats up to six ounces Baits are toxic to pets and wildlife and daily, but because it seeks roots and soft are not recommended. With the exception plant parts, it can destroy many more ounces of carbon monoxide, fumigants are not very of garden plants. In addition, gophers fill effective; the gophers sense the gas and plug cheek pouches with food, and hoard food in the tunnel. Fumigants can also kill non- chambers within the burrow system. target wildlife. Juicy Fruit bubblegum is an A mole will tunnel near the soil surface effective weapon against gophers. A gopher in search of insects and create a mound of will die after eating the gum, because the soil that is the roof of its tunnel. The tunnels gum clogs up its digestive tract. Natural predators include gopher snakes, skunks, bobcats, coyotes, owls, and hawks. Natural repellents include castor oil pellets or spurge plants. Activity may increase before it decreases as the animals move away.

Taylor Vanderlip is an environmental consultant specializing in biological issues. F A • Moles work in four hour shifts, and tend to stop working when above-ground activities cause vibrations.

• Moles can excavate 12 to 15 feet of tunnel per hour. S • if food is scarce below ground, moles can hunt frogs and mice above ground. T F A • The gopher can close its mouth behind its front teeth so it can dig without getting dirt into its mouth. • gopher burrow systems include side tunnels for latrine, larder, and nest areas. C • gophers teeth grow continuously and must be kept trim by constant gnawing. T • You can’t see into either a gopher or mole burrow without moving a mound of dirt; if you can see into the S burrow, it is a different burrowing animal, such as a ground squirrel. ach year at the Town Picnic, curious residents huddle around a booth that showcases a robot designed and built by the Gunn Robotics Team (GRT). The team was founded in 1995 by Bill Dunbar, an electrical engineer and physics instructor Eat Gunn High School in Palo Alto. At that time, the Engineering Technology program at the school was struggling, and the robotics class consisted of eight students, all male. Mr. Dunbar founded the team as a way to help struggling students find a reason to be academically engaged. Today, the team has grown to 54 members, ranging from tenth to twelfth graders. Students are representative of the community: five are from Los Altos Hills, 44 from Palo Alto, and five from surrounding cities. The team is about one-quarter girls. Gunn students who are interested in joining the team fill out an application in the spring. The GRT demos robots during school club days to pique interest in the team, as well as participates in an array of community outreach programs for K-12 students to ensure that students entering Gunn know about the team. As competition season draws near, team members dye their hair red, boosting team spirit as well as the team’s visibility. THE GUNN ROBOTICS TEAM

y working on robotics, students learn lence at all three regional competitions the year cost about $2,500 in materials, but we how to define their own objectives team attended. spent $40,000 on tools and other develop- Band outline the constraints of complex The entirety of the team’s membership ment expenses. The robot is 100% student- problems. Unlike a typical school assign- is trained on the machines in the team’s made. The only things we purchase are raw ment, the competition does not come with machine shop. A small subset hone their materials (metal and plastic stock), fasteners a rubric. There are many ways to win the skills to an elevated level and work on (screws, nuts, rivets), and components like competition and many different strategies designing and manufacturing the robot’s gears and belts.” to pursue. gearboxes. The controls group, consisting One of the most difficult challenges Students also learn how to balance of about six students, wire and program the that the team faces in building a robot is working in a professional environment robot and collaborate with the drive team. maintaining communication between the with maintaining close friendships. Often The drive team operates the robot, and team’s subgroups. The robot is made up of students with differing viewpoints work on makes the robot as easy to use as possible. many electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic the same project and learn to compromise. Some students specialize in precision systems, and it is very difficult for the In addition, the robotics team does not live machining utilizing the CNC mill, used students in charge of these systems to in a vacuum. The GRT works with a plethora for the more complex parts that cannot integrate them all into one robot. of sponsors to secure funding and manufac- be made by hand. In addition, a team of Fortunately for the team members, turing aid, and students are the sole point students weld the robot once the parts are the easiest part of building a robot is of contact. They learn how two different completed. staying motivated. Senior Neel Guha says, organizations can interact even when the A typical robot takes about six weeks “The process is so fun and engaging that liaisons are ephemeral (students graduate). to build, roughly 10,000 hours of work team members are eager to devote large In 2013, the team won the Utah Regional between the students. The machine shop is amounts of time to the robotics team.” with a robot that shot frisbees into goals open seven days a week during the fabrica- To learn more about the team, please and climbed a metal pyramid. In 2014, the tion phase. Student Catherine Nguyen contact Soumithri Bala at gunnrobotics192 GRT won an award for Engineering Excel- elaborates, “The robot that we built this @gmail.com.

8 Our Town | June 2014 INTERVIEW WITH A os Altos Hills resident Miles Seiver received his ness and giving back to the town. Any high Lham license as KI6LDU at the age of 16 and school student in Los Altos Hills can learn joined the Emergency Communications Committee TEENAGE HAM so much from working with the wise men and (ECC) the same year, where he has been an active women on the ECC. member and earned his CERT certification. He is OPERATOR now a senior at Stanford University. When did you join the ECC and how hard was it to get used to the committee’s work? In a natural disaster, why would a ham How did you get practical experience with I joined the ECC when I was in high school. operator be so critical? your new radio/license? It was not hard to get used to the committee Communication is the most important resource The town committee guided me each step of — although there was a lot to learn during my after a natural disaster. At every level — from the way as I learned the ropes of my new radio first few months! Each lesson was extremely family to neighborhood to town to county and license. It was so neat as a teenager to valuable (whether it be Robert’s Rules of Order — individuals need to share messages to be mentored by folks who had been licensed or the propagation pattern of a dipole antenna) check wellbeing and coordinate relief efforts. for twice as long as I had been alive. They were and the sort of thing I would have never learned When the telephone system fails, ham radio always available to show me new tricks with the in class. operators step in to provide communication. It’s radio and to troubleshoot any problems. especially important for a town like Los Altos How did you manage the drills with the town’s Hills, which contracts out its fire and police Isn’t working on a town committee a job for CERT organization and your school work? response, to organize mutual aid and disaster adults? CERT is a great group to be a part of as a response with these external agencies. Not at all. The Emergency Communications high school student because the commitment Committee is a great committee for younger is what you make of it. Once you’re trained, How did you hear about ham radio and the people to join because there’s no age require- you can attend every drill or only a few. The town’s committee? ment for getting an FCC license. The committee important thing is that you now have a set The first time I saw a ham radio, I had to have has been very understanding of my school of unique skills (like first aid and search and one. It was at the Town Picnic when I was a commitments and flexible in terms of partici- rescue), which will be critical in response to sophomore in high school. A huge antenna pation, so I never had a problem a disaster. I offer the bonus of being a ham extending from a booth caught my attention. balancing schoolwork and the radio operator and can get status updates from I walked over to investigate the antenna’s committee. zones to the CERT incident command center at base. What I found were some friendly people, Being a teenager on a Foothill College. members of the town’s ECC — sitting near committee is a a radio with all sorts of interesting knobs, tremendous opportu- What have you done on the ECC? buttons, and displays. Right away, I wanted to nity because you get I’ve done drills with CERTs, county ham drills, understand each component. The group eagerly to see and take part in acting as the ECC secretary, and running some answered each of my questions and — best important decision-making of the town’s Monday night check-ins, where of all — said that I might be able to get for the town. As a young area hams call in to check equipment and a radio of my own if I joined their group. person, you bring diversity brush up on their skills. I was sold. I applied the next day. to the committee and offer the important perspective of Do you recommend that other junior high Was it hard getting the required the town’s youth. You also get to and high school students consider becoming FCC license? learn about the rules and proce- hams and working with the ECC? It was very easy to become licensed dures of committees (which is Yes! Beyond the great feeling of helping — it only took one Saturday. There useful in college, where most out, being a ham and a member of a town are “ham cram” sessions that lead organizations are run in a committee are unique extracurricular activities. you through all the material you similar way). Not too many high school students can say need to know and prepare for the they’ve worked with elected officials, fire- short multiple-choice test given at Is it a misconception that ham fighters, police officers, and the Red Cross to the end of class. The pass rate is operators are only male? coordinate emergency communications for an about 95% and the test only costs I know many female ham entire town. about $30 and at the end you file operators, many of whom got For more information about getting your ham your papers to get your license from started in their teenage years. license and/or getting involved with the ECC, please the FCC. It’s such a great hobby for anyone contact Duncan MacMillan KI6VMY, dmcmllan@ interested in emergency prepared- pacbell.net.

App Alerts CPR-Trained Bystanders potentially life-saving technology now available throughout Santa to restore heart function is essential to full recovery,” said Tomi Ryba, Clara County can alert residents of Los Altos Hills when a president and chief executive officer of El Camino Hospital. A person near them is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the Integrated with the 911 system, the PulsePoint mobile phone United States, accounting for an estimated 360,000 deaths application notifies CPR-trained citizens of the critical need each year or 1,000 deaths per day. for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at a public location “With the aging of our county’s population we can nearby. Notification happens simultaneously with the dispatch of expect that more people will experience sudden cardiac emergency service personnel. Effective bystander CPR provided arrest, so we welcome innovative approaches like Pulse- immediately after sudden cardiac arrest and until paramedics Point to improve our collective ability to save lives,” said arrive can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. Chief Ken Kehmna, Santa Clara County Fire District. The app also directs citizen rescuers to the exact location of The PulsePoint app is free and can be downloaded from the closest publicly-accessible automated external defibrillator. the iTunes Store™ and Google Play™. For more informa- “Every day, we treat patients in our emergency rooms tion about the PulsePoint app and to link to CPR classes that have sudden cardiac arrest. We know that quick action throughout the county, please visit: www.elcaminohospital. org/CPRHelpNow. FINDING PLANETS AROUND OTHER STARS

esides the Earth, seven other planets and many The artist’s concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size smaller objects orbit our star, the Sun. We can see planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone. the planets because they reflect the light of the Sun and are relatively close to us. But other stars are Bso far away that the reflected light of any planets they might space, called Kepler (shown below), astronomers have been have is very hard to see. And, to make things worse, each able to discover planets as small as Earth with this method. faint planet orbits a much brighter star. Like a firefly among Our ultimate aim is to find “Earth 2.0” – a planet the same the bright lights of an outdoor concert, the planet would size as Earth and orbiting in its star’s “habitable zone” (the simply be lost in the star’s glare. region where conditions are not too hot and not too cold to Nevertheless, starting in 1995, astronomers have been support life, and water can be in liquid form.) In the last few discovering planets around our neighbor stars in increasing years, astronomers found a number of planets that were numbers. Currently, some 1,800 planets are known, distrib- earth-sized, but they were too close or too far from their uted among roughly 1,100 stars. stars. They also found planets that were at the right The first observations used the gravity of the distance from their stars, but were too big (and planet – and not its light – to show it was there. thus might not have a solid surface – just as Suppose we have a substantial planet (such as Jupiter is made mostly of gas and liquid.) Jupiter) that orbits a nearby star. We can’t see the But this April came the first announcement planet, but we can see the star just fine. As the of a planet that had both characteristics. The planet moves in orbit, from one side of the star to planet orbits a nondescript star with no name the other, its gravity will pull on the star. The effect (only the catalog number Kepler 186) about is subtle, because the star is big and the planet is 500 lightyears away. The star is a “red dwarf” – much smaller. Still, the planet’s gravity slightly changes smaller and cooler than the Sun, so a planet has to the position and movement of the star. If we monitor the be closer to it to have the right temperature. But this is our star from Earth with very sensitive equipment, we can pick first “Earth cousin” planet, just the right type and at just the up the “wiggling” (shifting back and forth) of the star’s right distance to resemble us. Astronomers are confident this motion in the sky. is only the first of many other Earth-like worlds ready to be The other way to identify a planet around another star is discovered by future projects. to watch a planet cross the face of its star. Since starlight is blocked by the planet, the star’s light output drops by a tiny Andrew Fraknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Depart- fraction as seen from Earth. Called a transit, such a mini- ment at Foothill College and was the California Professor eclipse can not only tell us that the planet exists, but even of the Year in 2007. His blog of astronomical news can allows us to measure the planet’s size. Using a telescope in be found at: http://fraknoi.blogspot.com

10 Our Town | June 2014 Italian sculptor and all-around artistic genius, Michelangelo, who gave the world the SCULPTURE stunning David and Pietà, famously remarked, “Every block of IN PUBLIC PLACES stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculpture to discover it.” Since the classical period, artists have been chiseling, Metzger, was donated anonymously; it will nature, sculpture invites interaction — both carving, and casting a wide range of materials be installed this year. “Chocolate” by Bret physical and intellectual. I think that people, to bring forth their discoveries. Now, thanks Price is a sensual form whose texture evokes once drawn in by a sculpture, will often to the work of the Art in Public Places the rich taste of chocolate. “Chocolate” was spend more time with it than a two-dimen- Committee (APPC), sculptures are making donated by Karen Mueller and was accepted sional piece. They want to touch it, to see it their appearance all around town. by the town council on April 17. “Tribute to from various angles, to know what it’s made Our Ohlone Roots” by Selina Rodriguez is a of. This physical exploration opens them A Committee is Formed colorful, enameled metal wall piece donated to the work in a way. It creates a space for In March of 2013, a resident inquired about by Carol Dabb. It is currently installed in the contemplation and often a striving to under- donating a sculpture in honor of his late wife. heritage courtyard at Town Hall. stand the meaning of the piece, particularly He wanted to commission a sculpture that if the sculpture evokes an emotional response evoked the empowerment of women. Even- Urban Meets the Suburbs from the viewer. tually, he chose to write a book about his Artist Rob Matthew (pictured below), wife’s accomplishments rather than commis- who created “Urban Meets the Suburbs,” What is the Meaning of Sculpture? sion a sculpture, but the request was the explains how he created Upon viewing “Urban” every resident may catalyst for the establishment of the APPC. his work. “Although I have his or her own interpretation. For the The APPC was formally created on August work primarily with cast artist, the sculpture symbolizes success. “To 15, 2013 by the town council. Committee concrete,” he explained, many, a corner office on a high floor is the members have art, interior design, and “I also incorporate other pinnacle of success,” says Matthews, “so I business backgrounds. The committee, materials in my work, like placed the piece on a pyramid of many stairs consisting of Sherry Scott, Pat Kreager, glass. Once the design to denote a sense of struggle. There is also Gail Solomon, Maryam Dickey, and Roger process is complete, the a black and white tile outdoor Burnell, is led by chairperson Karen Druker, next step is to build a mold (a area high up on the piece that Los Altos Hills Art Curator. two-week process). Once that represents a space for play, but The APPC was tasked with bringing is complete, the glass is cut there is no railing. I spent about sculpture to Town Hall and surrounding and adhered to the mold, face a decade working in a corporate grounds, to Edith Park, and to Westwind down. Because there are over environment and work-hard, Community Barn. Initially the sculp- 500 pieces of glass in this piece, play-hard was certainly the tures will be donated to the town by this step took a considerable norm, so I know all about that private donors. Karen Druker states, “The amount of time. The casting and the need to be a success at committee will strive to obtain a balance process is comprised of several both. You have to get as close to the edge as of realistic and abstract work, and will take tedious steps. First, a thin layer possible, just don’t go too far.” great care to assure that the pieces chosen are of a fine grout is gently Matthews, like most sculptors, believes appropriate for the town and of the highest applied to the entire mold, discussion of art is healthy: “Anything that quality, as well as spaced correctly to allow encapsulating all the opens minds is good for society as a whole. maximum impact for each piece.” Druker glass. Behind that is a mix No one likes every piece of public art they hopes that each sculpture will be interesting of glass fiber reinforced see. But engaging with it, trying to under- and thought-provoking. concrete.” Matthews stand what the artist was attempting to The APPC has then fills the form with a convey, and finally being able to understand accepted several sculp- dense styrofoam/concrete why you like or don’t like it is a valuable and tures so far. “Urban material. The piece cures enriching experience.” Meets the Suburbs” by for several days and then Rob Matthews, was the finishing process Seeking Donations donated by Maryam begins. He cleans the glass Two sculpture resource books with photos of and Jonathan Dickey. and fills in any voids. Then site-specific sculptures the committee feels “Urban” is installed in the sculpture is sealed are appropriate for town venues are available the lobby of Town Hall. three times with each coat for review at the Town Hall reception desk. The second sculpture, applied two days apart. The committee hopes that residents will “Blue,” is a large After five coats of wax, consider donating a sculpture in memory painted steel abstract the sculpture is finally of, in appreciation of or in honor of any piece by Los Altos Hills finished.” important life event. For information, sculptor Jean McCand- contact committee chairperson Karen less. The sculpture, to Interacting with Druker, at 650-941-8073. be installed this year, Sculpture was donated by the Matthews elaborates McCandless family. The sculptures (clockwise from top left): on how sculpture “Star Gazers”; “Tribute to Our Ohlone “Star Gazers,” a realistic differs from other Roots”; “Urban Meets the Suburbs”; bronze rendition of a art: “Due to its and “Chocolate.” deer family by Miles three-dimensional

Our Town | June 2014 11 www.losaltoshills.ca.gov Forestry InitiativeandForestry Stewardship Councildualcertification. Printed withsoy-basedinks. InternationalPaper, themanufacturerofpaper, hasearnedSustainable quarterly. the residentsandtowngovernment. The newsletterispublished town —tofacilitate, encourage, andimproveinteraction between services, andactivitiesinLos Altos Hillstotheresidentsof This istheofficialtownnewslettertocommunicatecurrentissues, Town NewsletterStatementofPurpose Deadline forthenextissueisJuly 1, 2014. Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 26379 Fremont Road T own ofLos Altos Hills

C for Homeownersand Greywater Seminar Wed., 7:00–9:00pm 4 A2518. tion contact650-947- Park.L- Formoreinforma atPurissima afternoon your neighborsforan tions arerequired. Join Hills residents.ENDAR- Reserva Open toallLos Altos 17th AnnualTown Sunday, 1:00–4:30pm 1 June Picnic

Design Professionals greentownlosaltos.org. Kit Gordon, water@ To more, learn contact end oftheseminar. hands-on workshops atthe tion decisions. Signup for plant selectionandirriga- plumbing modificationsto aspect,on every from experience andknowledge —willsharetheir Kephart Linebarger, andPaul — Deva Luna, Forrest greywater professionals water inyour home. Three and get arebateby reusing Save waterandmoney, Library Los Altos Heather Rose, Marita Vargas Matthews, NASA Ames/SETI Institute/JPL-Caltech, Antoinette Nguyen, Photography: Alexander Atkins, Sarah Gualtieri, Tuckett Hiatt, Rob Proofreading: RondaBreier Contributors: Sarah Gualtieri, DuncanMcMillan, CatherineNguyen Associate Editor: GlenReed Editor: AlexanderAtkins and TownCommittees. Volunteer Our Town ispublishedwithassistancefromtheCityClerk, Deborah Padovan, Our Town

Design + Production: Alexander Atkins Design, Inc. Design, Atkins Alexander +Production: Design not allowed. vehicles and horsesare reasons, fossil-fueled and balloons. Forsafety patriotic bunting, flags, decorate themwith bike orskateboardand that vintage redwagon, perfect timetodustoff lemonade. This isthe coffee, andice-cold Bullis forwatermelon, march toGardner white, andblue Hall wearing your red, Gather atthe Town Fourth ofJulyP Friday, 9:30–11:00 am 4 July arade www.losaltoshills.ca.gov posted ontown’s website: Calendar events arealso 650-947-2518. contact information and wine. Formore check forsnacks, dinner, Barn. Bringcashor Westwind Community and horseshow heldat fashioned games, crafts, Free, fun-filledday ofold Hoedown Sat., 3:00–8:00 pm 6 Sept Carl Cahill City Manager Gary Waldeck Rich Larsen John Harpootlian Courtenay Corrigan, Vice Mayor John Radford, Mayor Los Altos HillsCityCouncil Permit No. 306 Los Altos,CA Paid U.S. Postage StandardPresorted